Fire extinguisher



J. w. WRIGHT 1,976,056

FIRE EXT INGUI SHER Filed Nov. 27, 1951 Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES FIRE EXTINGUISHER John W. Wright, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Fyr-Fyter Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio I Application November .27, 1931, Serial No. 577,540

6 Claim.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers and more particularly to a fire extinguisher of the type in which a fluid is retained under pressure and is adapted to be released when the extinguisher is placed in use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fire extinguisher which will be reliable under all conditions, which may be stored for long periods and immediately placed in use without any delay and which will not deteriorate over long periods, and which embodies important economies and advantages in construction'and arrangement of its parts.

A further object is to provide a fire extinguisher having a quantity of fluid. confined under pressure in an inner container and having a novel, reliable and inexpensive construction for releasing the compressed fluid when the extinguisher is invertedfor use. I

A-=further object is to provide an extinguisher of the above character in which a simple, readily removable mounting is provided .for the inner container so that an empty container may be quickly and easily replaced by. a charged container.

Other objects and advantages may be apparent from a study of the detailed description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In the drawing,-' I

' Fig. 1 shows a view in vertical section of an extinguisher assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of the inner container and its closing cap; 3

Fig. 3 is a View in elevation of the cage for removably supporting the inner container within the extinguisher;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the cap of the inner container on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view-on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 showing a safety device for preventing accidental actuation of the extinguisher.

Referring to the drawing, whichillustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extinguisher comprises-a sheet metal container .10, preferably of sheet copper tinned on the inside, having a portion 11 with a beadededge-12 which serves as a base on which the container may set'when in upright position. The lowerend of the container is closed by a sheet metal bottom 13 which may be fastened. to thewall of the outer shell in any suitable manner such as by soldering. The top of the shell is provided with a centrally arranged opening which receives therein a cover casting 14, preferably copper, to which this end of the shell is soldered. The upper end of the cover casting 14 is threaded to receive thereon a cover member 15 carrying a suitable handle 16, which as shown is in the form of a ring to serve as a base upon which the extinguisher is adapted to rest when inverted. v

Adjacent the upper end of the extinguisher, and passing through the wall of the extinguisher shell is a discharge casting 20.' This casting is provided with an enlarged shoulder 21 which is soldered to the shell. Attached as by soldering to the inner end of the casting 20 is a flaring sheet metal member 22 receiving a screen 23, and the outer end of the casting is provided with a threaded nipple 24 which receives the usual flexible hose 25 carrying a discharge nozzle 26.

An operating pin 30 is mounted in an upstanding boss 31 of the cover member 15 and is adapted to have axial movement through the'cover. A cup shaped cover cap 32 is secured to theupper end of pin 30 by any suitable means such as a screw 33 and mounted within the cap and hearing at one end against the boss 31 and at the other end against the cap 32 is a spring 34. The spring thus urges the operating pin upwardly through the cover member. The end of the pin extending through the cover is threaded at 35 and a thumb nut 36 is threaded thereon. A flexible diaphragm 37, which may be conveniently formed of rubber or similar material, is confined adjacent its periphery between the cover member 15 and'flange 14. Above the diaphragm is a metal disk 38 which bears against a shoulder of the pin- 30 and is adapted to contact with the inner surface of the cover to limit the extent of movement of the operating pin outwardly through the cover. The thumb nut36 is tightened against the flexible diaphragm and the metal disk so as to securely mount the operating pin within the cover providing for axial movementinto the extinguisher, but prevent withdrawal of the pin through the cover, the rubber diaphragm flexing sufficiently to permit this longitudinal movement. An extension 39 is formed on the lower side of the operating pin which may be formed integrally with the operating pin or may be an inset piece threadedly at tached to the operating pin 30.

A recess 40 is formed at the upper end of fiange 14 to provide a seat for a cage structure 41. This cage comprises an outwardly flaring annular por-. tion 42 adapted to seat within the recess and to be held therein through engagement with the diaphragm 37 when the cover is screweddown; The

cage also comprises a pair of depending portions 43 formed integrally with the annular portion 42 and of such dimensions that they readily pass through the opening of the container. The depending portions 43 are connected by an integral cross piece 44 provided with a central aperture to provide a guiding and supporting structure for the inner container. A U-shaped strap 44 is pivoted at its upper open ends to the depending portions 43 and extends downwardly within the extinguisher so as to enclose the inner container 45. A thumb screw 46 is threaded into a nut 47 which is welded to the bottom of the strap and is provided at its upper end with a cup shaped support 48 in which the lower end of container 45 is adapted to seat.

The upper end of the inner container 45 is tapped to receive the threaded end 50 of a cap member 51. A flange 51a is formed on the cap which coacts with the member 44 to hold the container in proper operative position. The cap is provided with an internal bore 52 and an end wall 53, through which a passageway 54 is formedcommunicating with the interior of the container 45. A boss 55 is formed adjacent the end wall of the cap upon which is placed a frangible disk 56 of any convenient material such that it will normally sealthe outlet 54 through the cap but which can be punctured by a piercing pin. 7

A nut 56' is threaded into the interior of the cap and is provided at its lower portion with a bearing surface 57 adapted to engage the disk 56 to cause it to forcibly seal against boss 55. The nut also serves as a guiding means for the piercing pin 59 which is normally urged upwardly by a spring 60 seated within a recess formed in the top of the nut. Portions of the nut are cut away as at 61 to provide for tightening the nut by means of a suitably formed wrench Pin 59 is provided with a central longitudinal bore 59' through which the expelling fluid escapes following the puncture of the disk 56, the annular edge of the pin serving as the puncturing means. This edge may be sharpened if desired to more readily enable the pin to puncture the disk when it is forcibly depressed. A head 62 is formed at the top of the pin which bears against a brass washer 63, the washer extending inwardly to such an extent as to engage the head 62. The upper end of the cap member 51 is provided with a thin protecting seal 64, such as a bakelite or other brittle wafer material which serves to hold the parts within the cap in place and to prevent the access of dirt and moisture.

In certain cases it is desirable to provide a safety device for preventing accidental or premature actuation of the extinguisher and for this purpose a U-shaped safety clip 65 is provided. A chain or other flexible connection 66 serves to securely attach the clip to a wall 6'7 or other fixed object such as the bracket for holding the extinguisher, or in some cases the chain may be attached to the ring top 16. The clip is adapted to he slipped around and to have springing engagement with the boss 31 of cover 15. When in place it prevents downward movement of the operating pin 30 by contact with the lower end of cap 32 so that if the cap is accidentally given a blow it will not be depressed far enough to engage the piercing pin to cause rupture of the sealing disk. If desired, as a further precaution, the open ends of clip 65 may be drilled and a thin sealing wire 68 threaded therethrough and fastened by a seal 69, which must be broken before the clip can be removed and the extinguisher operated. In cases where the chain is attached to a fixed object, the act of removing the extinguisher from its support causes the withdrawing of the clip from its position under the cap and permits the cap to be depressed to release the compressed fluid; where the chain is fastened to the ring top, the clip must be manually withdrawn as a preliminary opera- It will be understood that in the assembly of the device a charge of fire extinguishing material of any desired character is placed within the outer container 10 and the cage including the inner container holding the compressed fluid is then seated within the outer container on the annular seat 40. The cover member including the operating pin and the sealing diaphragm 37 is then screwed into place which serves to tightly seal the opening in the extinguisher, and the extinguisher is then ready for use. To operate the extinguisher the external operating pin 30 is first depressed by inverting the extinguisher and bumping the protruding cap upon the ground. This motion is transmitted through the end 39 of the pin which is forced into contact with the seal 64 breaking the same, and actuating the piercing pin 59. This causes the piercing pin to move longitudinally against the action of its spring 60 to pierce the frangible disk 56, thereby releasing the fluid which flows through the central bore of the pin at a controlled rate, and escaping into the container, produces a pressure above the extinguishing material and forces the same out the discharge tube 25.

When it is desired to exchange an exhausted inner container for a charged container it is only necessary to remove the cover which carries with it the operating pin and associated parts, and the cage and pressure bottle may then be directly withdrawn. To substitute a fresh container, the

thumb screw'46 may be turned so as to release the pressure against the bottom of the inner container permitting it to drop slightly. As 'soon as this is accomplished the pivoted strap may be swung to one side and the container is then removable from its position in the annular guiding member 44. It will be noted that it is not necessary to turn the thumb screw to such a point that the container is dropped below the guiding flange 44, it suflicing to merely release the pressure thereon so that the strap may be swung about its pivots and the bottle removed and a newly charged bottle substituted.

By means of the present construction both the cover assembly with the operating pin and the inner container including the piercing pin are assembled separately and then are placed in assembled condition within the container. There is no connection between the two pins in normal condition nor is it necessary to accurately position one pin with respect to the other. Slight inaccuracies in construction or assembly of the cage or cover will be immaterial because the operating pin 30.need not be accurately aligned with the piercing pin 59 as a broad surface 62 is provided at the head of the piercing pin so that it can be operated by contact with the operating pin at any point on this surf-ace.

The means for mounting the inner container provides a quick and easy method of replacing a used container with a charged one. necessary to disassemble a large portion of the extinguisher when it is desired to remove a spent container, nor is it necessary to assemble accurately the extinguisher when a new container is placed therein. By means of the present con- It is not struction a substitute container may be easily placed in the cage, the cage then placed within the container, and a cover mounted on the whole and the parts will then be in proper condition for operation without danger of failure due to inaccurate positioning thereof.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fire extinguisher having an outer container adapted to hold a quantity of fire extinguishing material and provided with a filling opening, and a cover removably positioned over said filling opening, the combination of an inner container adapted to hold a quantity of fluid expelling means, a cage supported within said filling opening and held in place by said cover, and a strap pivoted to said cage and provided with means for removably supporting said inner container in operative position.

2. In a fire extinguisher having an outer container adapted to hold a quantity of fire extinguishing material and provided with a filling opening, and a cover removably positioned on said filling opening, the combination of an inner container adapted to hold a quantity of fluid expelling means, a cage supported by said outer container and provided at its lower portion with an annular extension, a strap pivotally mounted on said cage and extending below said inner container, and adjustable means at the lower extremity of said strap for engaging said inner container to hold it in operative position against said annular extension.

3. In a fire extinguisher the combination of an outer container adapted to hold a fire extinguishing material, said container being provided with a filling opening adjacent one end thereof, a removable cover member for closing said filling opening, a removable inner container adapted to hold a quantity of fluid expelling means, a cage positioned in said filling opening and extending into said outer container, a strap pivotally mounted on said cage and provided with means for removably supporting said inner container within said cage, a cap on said inner container having a discharge opening, a sealing disk adapted to seal said discharge opening, a piercing pin mounted within said cap, and an operating pin mounted in said cover and adapted to contact said piercing pin when forcibly depressed to cause said piercing pin to rupture said disk and thereby to release the fluid expelling means within said outer container.

4. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of an outer container adapted to hold a quantity of fire extinguishing material, a flange formed at one end of said outer container defining a filling opening and provided with an annular recess, a cover for closing said filling opening, a cage adapted to seat within said recess and provided at its lower portion with a cross member having a central aperture, a U-shaped strap pivoted to said cage at its open ends, an inner container adapted to hold a charge of fluid expelling medium and having one end extending through said aperture to be guided and supported by said cross piece, and an adjusting screw mounted in the lower portion of said strap adapted to engage the end of the inner container to removably hold the container in proper operative position.

5. In a fire extinguisher for operation in an inverted position, the combination of an outer container for holding a charge of fire extinguishing material and. having an annular neck providing a filling opening, a cover member removably attached to said neck, a discharge outlet fitting for said container positioned adjacent said annular neck, an inner container adapted to hold a supply of fiuid expelling means under pressure and a supporting cage therefor with means for rigidly clamping the inner container therein with its discharge end adjacent the said discharge outlet fitting, a cap for said inner container, a frangible disk held in place on said inner container by said cap and adapted to normally seal said inner container, a piercing pin completely housed within a recess in said cap, said pin having a longitudinal fluid discharge passage therethrough and adapted to pierce said disk to release the fluid contents of said' inner container, resilient means normally urging said pin out of contact with said disk, means for retaining said pin within said cap against the action of said resilient means, frangible means for preventing access of fire extinguishing material to said piercing pin, a flexible diaphragm for sealing the cover when in place, and an operating pin extending through said cover and through said diaphragm in a fluid tight connection and adapted to be depressed into contact with said piercing pin to cause the rupture of said frangible disk.

6. In a fire extinguisher for operation in an inverted position, the combination of an outer container for holding a charge of fire extinguishing material and having an annular neck providing a filling opening, a cover member removably attached to said neck, a discharge outlet fitting for said container positioned adjacent said annular neck, an inner container adapted to hold a supply of fluid expelling means under pressure and a supporting cage therefor with means for rigidly clamping the inner container therein with its discharge end adjacent the said discharge outlet fitting, a cap for said inner container, a frangible disk held in place on said inner container by said cap and adapted to normally seal said inner container, a piercing pin completely housed within a recess in said cap, said pin having a longitudinal fluid discharge passage therethrough and adapted to pierce said disk to release the fluid contents of said inner container, resilient means normally urging said pin out of contact with said disk, means for retaining said pin within said cap against the action of said resilient means, frangible means for preventing access of fire extinguishing material to said piercing pin, means for sealing the cover when in place, and an operating pin extending through said cover in fluid tight connection therewith and adapted to be depressed into contact with said piercing pin to cause the rupture of said frangible disk.

JOHN W. WRIGHT. 

